REUTERS/Farm Estate Investors Need Local Permits, Ministry Says

ors in food-crop production will be required to get local-government permission before developing farms or estates, Agriculture Ministry spokesman Suprahtomo said on Wednesday, adding that the move aims to prevent land disputes. “This will apply to all investors - including for food estate projects such as in Papua,” Suprahtomo said. He was referring to the 1.2-million-hectare Merauke estate, which will be planted rice and sugar cane.&#8194;